What makes the perfect comfort food for a weeknight dinner? It’s all about quick and easy homemade favorites like these hot honey chicken tenders, made with crispy fried chicken and a drizzle of spicy honey. Save this idea for a family favorite meal that’s sure to please, try it soon with your loved ones.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Introduction

Imagine sinking your teeth into crispy, golden chicken tenders smothered in a rich, velvety hot honey sauce that perfectly balances spicy and sweet notes. This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders recipe is a masterpiece of simplicity and flavor, requiring only a handful of everyday ingredients and minimal effort to achieve impressive results. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this dish is sure to become a favorite, offering the perfect blend of ease, creativity, and indulgence for any meal or occasion.

Why This Works

Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of hot sauce and honey creates a uniquely addictive flavor profile that is both spicy and sweet, using ingredients that are easily found in most grocery stores.
Ease of preparation: The recipe involves straightforward steps, from marinating the chicken to cooking it to perfection and finally drizzling it with the hot honey sauce, making it accessible to cooks of all skill levels.
Impressive results with minimal effort: Despite its simplicity, the dish presents beautifully and tastes sophisticated, making it perfect for both family dinners and special occasions without requiring hours of preparation.

Key Ingredients

The star of the show is, of course, the chicken breast, which provides a lean and tender base for our dish. The hot honey sauce, made from a mixture of honey, hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot), garlic, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, brings the magic. For the breading, a simple mix of all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper does the trick, offering a satisfying crunch. Practical substitutions can include using gluten-free flour for the coating or swapping out the hot sauce for a milder or spicier alternative, depending on your taste preferences.

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preparing your ingredients. Cut the chicken breasts into tender strips, and in a shallow dish, mix together the flour, a pinch of salt, and pepper. In another dish, beat the eggs until well mixed, and in a third, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Cook the chicken. Dip each chicken strip into the flour, coating lightly, then into the eggs, making sure they’re fully covered, and finally into the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs gently onto the chicken to ensure they stick. Heat about 1/2 inch of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add a few of the breaded chicken strips (do not overcrowd) and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining chicken strips.
Step 3: Layer the flavors. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Place the saucepan over low heat and whisk until the sauce is smooth and warm. Once the chicken is done, place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil, then toss the chicken tenders in the hot honey sauce until they’re fully coated.
Step 4: Final touches and plating. Serve the Hot Honey Chicken Tenders hot, garnished with chopped scallions or parsley, and accompanied by your choice of sides, such as fries, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. For an extra crunchy texture, you can also sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts over the top.

Handy Tips

For an extra crispy coating, chill the breaded chicken strips in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better to the chicken.
When making the hot honey sauce, adjust the amount of hot sauce to your desired level of spiciness. You can also add other ingredients to the sauce for different twists, such as a spoon of Dijon mustard for a tangy flavor or some grated ginger for an Asian-inspired taste.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet when frying the chicken, as this can lower the oil temperature, resulting in greasy or undercooked chicken. Fry in batches if necessary.

Heat Control

Maintaining the right temperature is crucial when frying the chicken. The ideal temperature for the oil is between 350°F and 375°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into it; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it’s cooked through and safe to eat. Signs of doneness include the chicken being golden brown and firm to the touch, with no pinkness inside.

Crunch Factor

Achieving the perfect crunch on your chicken tenders involves a few key steps. First, using panko breadcrumbs, which are lighter and crisper than regular breadcrumbs, helps to create a lighter, airier coating. Second, not overcrowding the skillet allows each piece of chicken to cook evenly and prevents the coating from becoming soggy. Finally, chilling the breaded chicken before frying can help the coating adhere better and become crisper when cooked.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

For easier cleanup, line your workspace with parchment paper or a silicone mat before breading the chicken, and place a tray or plate under the wire rack where you’ll be draining the fried chicken to catch any drips.
To keep your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders warm while you finish cooking any remaining strips, place them in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Consider making a double batch of the hot honey sauce to keep in the fridge for up to a week; it’s a versatile condiment that can elevate everything from wings to fried chicken sandwiches.

Storage Tips

Leftover Hot Honey Chicken Tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent sticking, and reheat from frozen in the oven as described above, adding a few extra minutes to the reheating time.
The hot honey sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good whisk before using.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you’re considering gifting your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, perhaps for a party or as a unique offering for a potluck, you can make them look appealing by packaging them in decorative paper cones or small baskets lined with parchment paper. Drizzle a bit of extra hot honey sauce on top and garnish with fresh herbs for a pop of color. For the sauce, fill small glass jars, tie a ribbon around the neck, and attach a gift tag with serving suggestions or the recipe itself.

Flavor Variations

Different spices: Add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture for a smoky flavor, or try using Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) for an extra spicy kick.
Creative toppings: Serve your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with a variety of toppings, such as diced onions, sour cream, diced tomatoes, or shredded lettuce, to let everyone customize their snack.
Ingredient swaps: For a vegan version, substitute the chicken with extra-firm tofu or tempeh, marinated and breaded in a similar manner. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.

Troubleshooting

Texture problems: If your chicken tenders turn out too greasy, it might be because the oil wasn’t hot enough. Conversely, if they’re too dry, the oil might have been too hot, or they were overcooked.
Ingredient replacements: If you can’t find panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute, though the texture might not be as light. For the hot sauce, any similar hot sauce can be used, adjusting the amount based on desired heat level.
Over/undercooking signs: Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s cooked through. If the outside is browned but the inside is still pink, it’s undercooked. If the chicken is dry and the coating is too dark, it might be overcooked.

FAQs

Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze both the breaded and fried chicken tenders, as well as the hot honey sauce, for later use.
Is it gluten-free? The recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour for the breading and ensuring the hot sauce used is gluten-free.
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd, just be sure to fry the chicken in batches to maintain the oil temperature.

Conclusion

With its irresistible combination of crunchy exterior, juicy interior, and the sweet and spicy kick of the hot honey sauce, the Hot Honey Chicken Tenders recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, this dish offers the perfect blend of ease, flavor, and fun, with plenty of room for creativity and customization. So go ahead, get cooking, and enjoy the delightful experience of biting into these heavenly tenders, knowing you’ve created something truly special with minimal fuss.

Hot Honey Chicken Bites